training a 'down' when approached by children?

[BooyHoo]

some of you may have seen my trhead where WB knocked down my youngest dc yesterday. and i have been thinking about this alot because at the minute i let dcs and WB potter about together when i am in the room. ds1 knows all the 'dont touch' scenarios and knows to be a tree with other dogs but ds2 (22 months) still doesn't know all the times when he shouldn't approach. he knows he isn't allowed near the crate or near WB when eating or sleeping or playing with his own toys but other times he will toddle over and stand and babble to WB, WB will either sit for this (but is still taller than ds) or he tries to walk past him and can knock him off balance. so i was wondering if teaching him to go into a 'down' when approached by children would be a good idea? what do others teach?

[CherryMonster]

yes i think that would be a good idea. it can be done with a simple hand signal so that the child doesnt think your talking to them (lol)

[BooyHoo]

thank you cherrymonster. i have these lightbulb moments and post here only to be told of why it is such a bad idea, which is why i posted. can you think of any negatives to teaching this?

[kid]

I wish I could teach Teddy that, but he goes deaf when he sees other dogs or children as he assumes they both want to play with him!

[Elsa123]

I would suggest a recall rather than a down, It would be easier to implement and then when the dog is with you the down will come more naturally to him as he'll then defer to you.

[fuzzysnout]

I agree with Elsa re. the down. Bear in mind that the down is quite a submissive position for the dog & if he is uncomfortable with this it could cause problems. In particular you need to consider that if your 22month old trips & falls onto the dog there is a good chance he will get bitten. Sounds like you are doing everything right so I would just be carefull about letting them mill around in an enclosed space. As long as the dog can move away from DS they should be fine.

[Solo2]

Can I join this thread please? Our problem is sort of similar but with our 8 week old puppy who has started to jump up, leap about and nip - us and our clothes. My twins are now avoiding any interaction with him and even I am getting a bit scared - not being all that used to dogs.

I've tried to use the command, "Sit" - which our pup is beginning to learn through clicker training and "Drop". Nothing seems to stop him though as he's obviously in an excitable mood.

Is this a passing phase for a puppy or something that needs to be clamped down on now before he becomes a full grown dog?

I've tried turning my back and ignoring him but find I can't actually do this if he's snapping at my legs behind me. I get too nervous! I've tried always having a toy at hand to give him something to do with his mouth but he rejects this and definitely wants to interact directly with me (or whoever else is with him) - meaning - nip them or hold onto their clothes.

Any further suggestions?

[StayingDavidTennantsGirl]

Our lab is nearly 2, and I need to learn how to do this with her. She will drop into 'down' for me if there's a treat in my hand and we are doing a training session, but if she's excited (she's seen another dog, or someone she wants to go and greet), then she won't go 'down' or stop reliably.

I work with her most days, reinforcing the fact that I'm in charge and she has to do as she's told, and making her sit whenever someone comes to the door, but I need to know how to make her reliable at stopping and/or going 'down' when she's excited about something.

Yesterday I opened the door to let ds1 in, and she ran out and ran to greet a grandmother and a small boy who were walking past - and the poor lad was so upset. We caught her as soon as possible and apologised profusely for upsetting the boy, and I feel utterly dreadful about this - because I know it is my fault and not the dog's. I fully expect a flaming for this, but I really do want to teach her and learn myself, so she can be well behaved on all occasions.

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

Solo2 - it sounds like your pup is mouthing - totally normal behaviour but obviously not something we humans enjoy! The best way that we found was to do as his littermates would have done if he bit too hard - yelp. Then move away. He should realise from the yelp that you have been hurt, and by moving away for a few seconds he'll learn that if he hurts you, his fun stops.

[PurpleFrog]

Solo2 - our lab thought our yelps meant we were playing. Ouch! It is difficult to move away with a large pup hanging from your arm. We ended up saying "no biting" and shutting him in his puppy pen for a short period to calm down. Don't worry - it will get much better in a few weeks, then better still once he loses his puppy teeth, but until then wear old clothes, always wear footwear in the house and fend off the worst of the attacks with a soft toy!